Brazilian Court Suspends Víctor Gabriel Until Gabriel Pec’s Recovery
SAO PAULO (AP) — A significant decision has been made by Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice concerning Inter Porto Alegre’s Víctor Gabriel. The defender faces suspension from Brazilian soccer until Cruzeiro’s Gabriel Pec returns to training after suffering a broken leg.
The court, known as the highest independent disciplinary body in Brazilian sports, decided that a regular penalty was insufficient due to the gravity of the incident. This follows Pec’s left tibia fracture caused by Víctor Gabriel during a league match on July 22.
Although the suspension has a maximum duration of 180 days, it may conclude earlier if Pec is cleared to resume training before then. The ruling is subject to appeal.
Víctor Gabriel, addressing the court, insisted on the absence of malicious intent in his challenge that led to Pec’s injury. Pec, who previously played in the MLS for LA Galaxy, joined Cruzeiro for a record fee of at least $12 million during the World Cup break.
“I’ve had sleepless nights praying for him, and I offer a heartfelt apology to everyone at Cruzeiro,” Víctor Gabriel expressed.
The defender was charged under Article 254 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice for violent play. The extended suspension was applied under a rule allowing such penalties to align with the injured player’s recovery period in severe injury cases.
The court’s decision was not unanimous. Adjudicator Rodrigo Steinmann Bayer initially voted for a standard six-match suspension. However, court president Jorge Octavio Lavocat Galvão, along with Eduardo Xible Salles Ramos and Aline Gonçalves Jatahy, supported the extended penalty.
___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
